VA boosts COLA rate for veterans
November 11, 2018
The nation’s and Michigan’s military veterans recently received great news with an increase in their cost of living allowance (COLA) from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs (VA).
The VA implemented a 2.8 percent boost in their annual benefits pay for veterans this year. The increase is the largest single-year boost since 2012 and is nearly a third larger than the prior six annual COLA adjustments, which were 2 percent. Problem is, not everyone will get the cost of living adjustment (COLA) increase the VA owes them. That is where experienced veterans’ legal representation can help greatly.
The COLA adjustment should affect veterans’ disability pay, clothing allowance, compensation for dependents and similar VA benefits. Disabled veterans in particular should benefit from the pay increase, but that can lead to issues with disability declarations.
To qualify for disability pay, a veteran understandably must suffer a disability that is caused by service in the military. A disabled veteran must apply for disability benefits, and go through the VA’s disability process. That process, though, can leave veterans with less compensation than they truly earned through their service and sacrifice to the nation.
The VA requires proof that military service caused a partial or full disability, and that it negatively impacts the ability to make a living in civilian life. The VA also might declare the disability to be partial instead of full, and that greatly could reduce disability benefits.
Experienced veterans’ benefits attorneys can help Michigan veterans ensure they get their full compensation for the sacrifices made while serving the nation and protecting its citizens.